Mitchell Starc has finally opened up about his decision to skip the IPL. Starc is more focused and motivated to play red-ball cricket in the Sheffield Sheild Trophy instead of featuring for the high-end IPL teams. He is enjoying his cricket there and wants to play the role of a senior head in the competition when other players will leave for the IPL this year. “I wanted to play as much Shield cricket as I could. Managing a few little things with the body and wanting to play as much red-ball cricket as I could with certain guys heading off to the IPL, it was my intention to be the constant in the Shield team and hopefully play the role there as a senior head in the team” Starc told cricket.com.au, explaining his decision to skip the IPL.